The ever-active Brooklyn-based saxophonist joins us to discuss improvisation, honing compositions from the small stage, and his ambitious album project, The Depths of Memory. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On saxophonist/composer Kevin Sun. Kevin joined us to discuss, among other things, his dramatic double album from 2023, The Depths of Memory,…
On the album Source of the Severn, an accomplished guitarist from Wales conveys the beauty of the British countryside with his jazz quartet and visual artist Erin Hughes. ------------------ Today, the Spotlight shines On Will Barnes, leader of the Will Barnes Quartet, who joins me to talk about his life…
The renowned alt-pop singer, songwriter, and producer explores the lush, heartfelt sound of her brilliant new album The Big Feel. ------------------ Today, the Spotlight shines On in a much different way than usual, as I am turning the microphone over to guest host Miriam Boulos. Miriam has been a guest…
The Irish electronic/rock hybrid trio talk about their quick rise, how film school informs their DIY ethos, and their explosive new EP, Conditions II. ------------------ Today, the Spotlight shines On the Belfast, Ireland, band Chalk. Chalk is Ross Cullen on vocals, Ben Goddard on guitar, and Luke Niblock on drums.…
The innovative Chinese-Malaysian-Australian artist discusses her role in confronting SXSW's controversies, tackling motherhood on tour, and her ambitious new song, "Sleepless." ------------------ The Spotlight shines On Chinese-Malaysian Australian artist, musician, and creative producer Sui Zhen. This is the first of two episodes I recorded on-site, in my hotel room/recording studio,…
The Comateens member — AKA Nic North and Nic West — chats about founding the '70s new wave/punk band with Ramona Jan and the artistic merits of a challenging time for New York City. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On musician and songwriter Nicholas Dembling, aka Nic North, aka Nic West,…
The 'modernist drumming artist' chats about his experiences in the New York jazz scene, the responsibilities of a sideman, and his enlightening new memoir, Chasing The Masters. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On drummer, composer, and improviser Phil Haynes. Phil published a unique memoir last November, which includes not only his…
The celebrated music education innovator discusses the origin and motivations behind Music Will and how the organization teaches thousands to love playing instruments. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On Dave Wish, founder and Chief Vision Officer for Music Will. This nonprofit organization funds and runs one of the largest instrumental and…
The prolific and genre-jumping Swedish music producer delves into his inspirations, processes, and exceptional work with bands like Dina Ögon. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On musician and producer Daniel Ögren. Daniel is one of the artists propelling Sweden’s contemporary new music scene. He has an extensive body of work as…
The renowned jazz drummer speaks about technique, influences, and the all-star quintet behind her latest album, 'Reveal.' ------------------ Today, the Spotlight shines On Mareike Wiening. Mareike is a drummer and composer who joined us on the occasion of the release of her third record as bandleader, Reveal, out on Greenleaf…
The founder of Terrapin Station Entertainment talks about immersive entertainment, IP-branded event production, and hitting it off with Mickey Hart. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On music impresario Jonathan Shank, the CEO and Founder of Terrapin Station Entertainment. Jonathan is known for his instincts and successes in sniffing out unique opportunities…
Super Duty Tough Work, a potent live hip-hop combo from Winnipeg, delivers to the feet and mind on the album *Paradigm Shift*. ------------------ Today, the Spotlight shines On multi-instrumentalist, composer, educator, and performer Brendan Grey of the Canadian hip-hop group Super Duty Tough Work. In addition to his duties as…
The exploratory pedal steel guitarist revisits a world of protest music on CANTO, her brilliant album with the ensemble Septeto del Sur. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On the innovative pedal steel guitar player Susan Alcorn. While Susan got her start playing in country & western bands in Texas, she has…
The innovative jazz pianist talks about her label, Pyroclastic Records, gender justice for composers, her connections to New York's improvisors scene, and recording an album at the Village Vanguard. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On Grammy-winning pianist and composer Kris Davis. Kris joined us in the wake of the September 2023…
The acclaimed composer, educator, and pianist talks about her musical journey and corralling a jazz nonet for the album Nighttime Creatures. ------------------ Today, the Spotlight shines On pianist and composer **Angelica Sanchez**, who joined us late last year to discuss her latest record, *Nighttime Creatures*, out on [Pyroclastic Records](https://pyroclasticrecords.com/). Since…
The legendary percussionist discusses his musical philosophy, what he learned working with the likes of Yusef Lateef, and Timeless, his album with Hu: Vibrational. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On composer, improviser, and master percussionist Adam Rudolph. A global performer - and global citizen - Adam has been called "a pioneer…
The trumpet virtuoso talks about his father's inspiration, the Middle East's influence on symphonic music, how Bach and Mozart were punks, and the ideas behind his album Capacity To Love. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On trumpet virtuoso and international superstar Ibrahim Maalouf. Ibrahim is exactly the type of artist we…
From an early age, a camera was in his hands and he had the influence of his father’s friends and peers; David Bailey and Terence Donovan with their numerous debates on photography around the kitchen table. It was inevitable that photography would have a huge influence on Chris’s life. He…
Obie Fernandez is a veteran technologist, published author, and serial entrepreneur. Remarkably, he’s also an accomplished music producer and DJ, and is currently pioneering the future of the music industry on the blockchain as CEO & Founder of RCRDSHP. Previous accomplishments include his role as CTO of Andela, where he…
The two musicians talk about the creative process, Munich's musical lineage, and the outstanding sounds found on Web Web's album WEB MAX II. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On Roberto Di Gioia of the German Jazz supergroup WEB WEB, and his group’s collaborator, the songwriter and producer Max Herre. WEB WEB’s…
Ryan is the Founder and CEO of Marmoset — a full-service music agency based in Portland, Oregon, specializing in music licensing and original music production for brands, film, and TV. Ryan co-pilots Marmoset’s creative teams and spends most of his time studying people and human systems — constantly deconstructing the…
Sonia Stevenson is Head of Music Patron, a new start-up connecting composers and patrons. Sonia grew up in St Andrews, Scotland. She studied at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh and King’s College London, where she gained a Bachelors of Music and Masters of Music. Her work has spanned many…
With albums like Telepathic Heights, the Bristolian electronic music producer explores themes of psychogeography and hidden worlds. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On James McKeown, the Bristol, UK-based artist who releases music under the name Hawksmoor. James first created Hawksmoor five years ago, inspired by the six 18th-century churches in London…
